St. Petersburg, Florida -- Swarms of flies and the stench of putrification: they're the telltale signs of death, and they're just what led a neighbor to discover a horrible scene inside a St. Petersburg home.

The odor had persisted for days when the neighbor went to investigate. What was discovered: a large Great Dane decomposing on the floor of the living room. The scene was ghastly as the dog was said to be reduced to a pool of liquid, and covered by maggots.

The renter of the home, Alyssa Anderson, is now behind bars on charges of felony animal abuse for leaving the dog inside and unattended for nearly two weeks.